Home Again

Jaden Ohanzee · 04-28-2012, 05:11 AM

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Date: April 15, 2012

Setting: Wentworth Valley

Time: Around Noon

Character Form: Optime

Mood: Joyful

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Words - 500+

The last few days had been filled with absolute joy. It had been so long since Jaden had found himself as happy as he was around X’yrin. Even with his fresh injuries and his inability to shift forms with them impeding their progress, they had reached Ichika in a reasonable time. It had taken a lot out of the wanderer though. He did his best not to show it but he was exhausted and his limbs ached uncomfortably from carrying their kill day after day. It would be nice to relax once they finished their journey and the end was so close.

A multitude of emotions seeped into him when they crossed the stale border of Ichika. Pain for the loss of so many, fondness for the land he knew so well, and a slight curiosity at the smell of new pack members were only a few. But mostly he felt confliction. He shouldn’t be standing where he was now. He shouldn’t be welcome in these lands after shaming the peace it stood for so vigorously. The only force that propelled him farther into the land was his beautiful friend. She had offered to tend to his wounds and given him time to enjoy her presence for helping her slay the feline that was now slung heavily over his shoulder. He felt it was a generous bargain on her end.

He would not stay. His pride, honor, and love for the pack wouldn’t allow it. He was dangerous and nothing outweighed the fear that he could do more damage than good to this place he loved so much. He let his friend lead and let his tail sway low. She was the Alpha, the Shepard of Ichika now. She deserved respect and he would give it. He was only a lone wolf after all. Only a guest on these beautiful lands.

When they entered the familiar grass of Wentworth Valley Jaden spoke to get the attention of his friend, Where are we headed, my friend? I’m eager to drop this fowl beast for good. He shifted the body from one shoulder to the other in a vain attempt to stay comfortable. There were many other questions that stirred through him as he observed the empty land, but he left all information he would get to what his friend wanted to share. He knew it to be a sore subject for her and wanted nothing less than to depress her mood.

Jaden does. Jaden speaks. Jaden thinks.

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X'yrin Exultare · 04-28-2012, 12:13 PM

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ooc:

What began as hurried steps in search of a young pup had turned into a lumbering march home with not a child, but an adult and carcass in tow. The wounds suffered by the pair brought on by the woman’s negligence slowed them to a labored crawl though neither seemed bothered by this measured pace. It awarded them the time to rekindle that lingering bond and revel in the found comfort of the other presence. Though a great weight still rested upon her shoulders, of responsibility and of loss, walking beside her friend again made her smile.

Yet it lived only on the unmarked path left in their wake, for as they neared and crossed onto the claimed lands, she was disturbed by how weak the mark of the pack had become. It was surprising especially when she knew her mate’s feelings towards territory left unchecked. But his scent was nowhere near, only her own left from when her search for the young pup began. Her ears twitched anxiously. How odd…

And disturbing still that she did not smell him as they tread deeper into the Wentworth toward her own abode. With an inquisitive crest of her brows she looked to her companion then to the beast upon his shoulders. For the countless time she heaved a sigh despite her growing distress and scolded, “If you are tired, I told you we could drag the beast together.” Her lush tail flicked mildly. “You will disturb your wounds if you continue like this. We could stop here for now,” she offered with a sweep of her muzzle to the patch of ground before them. “The den is not much further in… but I worry that another step would cause you further harm.”

Ignoring her own smarting wound, she inched forward to the dark male and prodded his torso with the tip of her nose. “I am surprised you hadn’t collapsed already…”

320 words.

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Jaden Ohanzee · 04-28-2012, 01:07 PM

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Words - 300+

Jaden had an understanding of the relationship between is friend and her mate before leaving Ichika. The Shepard had spoken highly of her mate while during the trip and he quickly realized the place he held in her heart. What seemed odd even to the former Ichikan was when the man was nowhere to be seen when his mate showed her delicate muzzle in the land. He thought he knew the other man’s scent from memory too, he and he couldn’t pick it up. But such things were not his place to point out. He had his own opinion of the man X’yrin had chosen for a mate but he wouldn’t share it. If the man stayed when everyone had left, including the Alaskan himself, he deserved more respect than Jaden had given him previously.

After the question escaped his maw he quickly came to regret it. He had been carrying the animal by himself for most of the trip and his companion never tired in her efforts to take the burden. It was too painful for him to shift so they couldn’t carry it on four legs and trying to share the weight between them on two would be awkward and only impede their progress more so. For the sake of keeping a relatively decent pace, he had just decided to carry the creature himself. But now that they were so close to done, a small break didn’t seem too horrid an idea. You worry over me too much— he winced and flinched away from the woman’s delicate prod. All areas around his injured rib had become bruised and sore from strain. He smiled sheepishly for not being able to hide his discomfort, But if you insist… He stopped in the clear area she had indicated and dropped the cougar heavily and slumped down on his tail, awkwardly straitening his back to avoid bunching the muscle of his midsection. At least the weather stayed fair during our journey.

Jaden does. Jaden speaks. Jaden thinks.

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X'yrin Exultare · 04-28-2012, 01:21 PM

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ooc:

It was with great reluctance that her friend finally fell prey to her gentle nagging. Happily, she turned her muzzle from her slight reprimand and gave the male space as he situated himself by their cargo. She growled fondly in satisfaction before wrapping her fangs familiarly around the neck of the cougar. Before the voice of contest to greet her ears, she raised her own vocals in gentle warning, conveying her wish not to be kept from her task as she proceeded to drag the useless beast a little ways toward the den.

At least while her companion rested, she could inform the small Exultare family what had kept her away for so long. Hardly a step was taken toward the den’s recess before the scent of nature and the young siblings bombarded her nose. There was no musk of her mountainous mate, nor the scent of his wandering steed… just a remnant overpowered by a pair of worried bodies as they came barreling out of the den at her soft call.

X’yrin dropped the carcass as the pups ran into her injured form nuzzling into whatever reach of fur they could grasp to reaffirm that the she-wolf had returned. Their words were muddled and incoherent, but their worried tones and thinning forms spoke the necessary words she needed to hear. Amidst their excited greeting, she looked blindly into the dark maw of the den… the den she had made into a home by her very own paws. The home she had built with her mate. Was there a note inside, a message of some kind to dispute the claims of the pups and of her own heart? She did not know… Her frozen steps would not allow her to peer in and see. She just… stood still, surrounded by the worried whines and commanding growls starved of the attention they needed. She just stared blindly. Her elated mood gone in an instant, staring at the emptiness of her home.

000 words.

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Jaden Ohanzee · 04-28-2012, 02:19 PM

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Words - 300+

It was a devious thing to do after he had carried the carcass so far. No more than a few moments after he had laid the beast to rest as he did the same his autumn hued companion had it between her jaws. He growled lightly in useless protest but was quieted when her muffled voice rumbled back. He watched her labor with a light and helpless irritation but did nothing further to stop her. So he let his attention move from her and focused instead on trying to make himself comfortable for a few moments of rest.

Only a few moments after he let his back set into the crisp grass he heard the commotion of excited pups. Without sitting up, he craned his neck back to watch. The scene seemed like something sweet out of story to Jaden. The pup’s cries of hunger could be expected. The only thing that was missing was the protector, her mate. He watched the mouth of the den for a few moments and waited for the wolf to step out. He could see what he thought to be an expectant look to the woman amid her pups as she watched it too. But moments ticked by and nothing. Jaden rolled gingerly onto his four limbs and looked again. Still no male, no change in his friend’s expectant gaze. The wounded optime pushed himself up and began to approach. There was a gut feeling in him that pronounced the whole thing wrong, but he hadn’t figured out why. After hearing X’yrin’s joyous recap of their relationship, the thought that he wouldn’t be there for her was nonexistent.

He was nearly silent when he came up behind his friend, his habit of step showing through. The only indication that he was there beside her were when the pups who had been ignored by their parent for a long minute quieted and retreated to the woman’s opposite side of him. And she still didn’t move. He could see her expression now and it wasn’t one of expectation. It was blank. He reached out and set a hand on her good shoulder. X’yrin, what’s wrong? He cooed softly, the worry apparent in his voice.

Jaden does. Jaden speaks. Jaden thinks.

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X'yrin Exultare · 04-28-2012, 04:27 PM

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ooc:

The touch of young Sophie and Boothe were not unfelt, but still lacked the response they desired for their efforts. The young female called her by name repetitively hoping for something akin to a smile… or even an irritated grumble like she would received from Saluce. And little Boothe altered his attention from the woman’s face to her hind leg and nipped at it to stir her from her idle stance.

Nothing.

Nothing but the soft touch of her companion’s hand on her shoulder jerked her from her stupor. Her once blind eyes blinked to clear away the lone image of the mouth of the den, then peered down at the pups receiving nothing but her cold exterior. Quickly, she warmed and a soft smile touched her lips. “I am sorry…” she lowered her muzzle to nudge Sophie lightly to her side and roughly shook her leg for Boothe’s attention. “It has been a long trip,” she explained, “and I am sure you two are hungry.”

The absence of both mate and lost pup were not lost on the pair but as they looked to the wavering smile on their caretaker’s lips, they thought better than the inquiry though the little female was more than anxious to do so. Instead, they looked to the dark male standing beside her, obviously injured just as the golden female but more severely. X’yrin followed their gaze, her whole form jumping slightly as though seeing Jaden for the first time since their return to Ichika. “This is a dear friend of mine,” she offered with a soft smile. “He was a part of these lands long before I came here and was the first to offer me his friendship. His name is Jaden… and he will be staying with us for some time.” Her tail fanned the air fondly though not without the subtle jerks that knotted the rhythm each time her gaze turned helplessly toward the den. “Treat him like family…”

329 words.

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Jaden Ohanzee · 04-28-2012, 11:48 PM

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Words - 300+

The puppies where cute. He watched them while his friend tended to the two of them with kind words. Children weren’t something he had a lot of experience with. He hadn’t seen the birth of his own blood and Verloren, the young wolf he had mentored for a short period of time, had been older then the two that nipped at his friend. And she had deserted the pack in his care. He didn’t see himself as parent material for that reason alone.

The autumn hued woman’s words warmed his heart. It made him proud to hear the love in her voice. That he hadn’t contemplated how long he planned on staying wasn’t worth mentioning and was quickly swept from his mind when she turned their attention on him. His ears pushed back a little. What should he say? They were little wolves, not some unknown animal. Maybe he should just say hello. He crouched slowly so he was closer to their level. You must be Sophie and Boothe. X’yrin has said a lot about you two. It is nice to meet you. his tones were overly cautious. He glanced up to his friend with an uncomfortable smile, showing how lost he was with how he should deal with the little ones.

He could see something on his friends mind. Her words hid it from the little ones well but did not fool him. It was obviously because of the two young she had not answered his question. He would press about it later. He still hadn’t realized Saluce was gone. The pieces were begging to fall into place, but how could ask such a question? He couldn’t assume something about somebody he didn’t know. We could give them some of the meat of the cat…? He offered. It has quite a bit of meat him still.

Jaden does. Jaden speaks. Jaden thinks.

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X'yrin Exultare · 05-01-2012, 10:12 AM

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ooc: She's not really 'leaving' but taking some private time. We could either continue in this thread or move to another. Whichever your prefer

Regardless of how long or determinedly she stared at the mouth of the den, there would be no change in its condition; void of life other than the two that came from it... empty... abandoned. The female had sense enough to know this, but her heart refused to believe this could be true. Had she been gone for so long that he felt she would not return? Or was this the result of his silent disapproval for her losing track of the pup? Would he not even allow her to apologize or try to make it right in his eyes? What of the pups they had tried for... had he given up on their future?

Solemnly she looked down at her charges now thoroughly engaged with her dark companion. She was not ashamed to have pups that were not her own, but glad to experience the joys of motherhood in whatever form. But in the recesses of her mind, the dark corner she dared not acknowledge save for times of self-reflection, she knew that this was not enough for her... and perhaps not for Saluce as well. She had always imagined there was a bond that came from bringing life into the world and seeing the potential of that existance baring fruit. Always did she imagine there was that experience for Jace and her brood, for Kiara and hers... and desperately she wished to touch that bond all her own. As she looked from the pups and to the den again, she could not rightly tell if her sadness stemmed from the absence of her mate... or for the lost potential of raising pups made from their combined love.

Sharply, her ears perked at the mention of meat and her eyes turned to the carcass left untouched. So enthralled in her own thoughts, she had forgotten... or was perhaps disinterested in it given the current circumstances. "Meat..." she voiced absently, already drawing her muzzle closer to its hide. "Yes that's right. It is not the same as deer... but it should suffice until we hunt later..." She looked to the children, her eyes glassy and vacant as she struggled to maintain the air of calm. But she could feel her inner strength wavering, bit by crumbling bit. "Boothe," she addressed the boy suddenly as he about leap at the feline. "Look after your sister... I... I will return in a moment."

It was unlike her to leave without affirmation her instructions had been heard, but she could not risk being seen as a collapsing pillar when her form was meant to convey strength and stability. If she were to fall, it would be in private and in that solitude, she intended to fall and so what she could to rebuild... regardless of how long it took.

466 words.

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Jaden Ohanzee · 05-01-2012, 10:08 PM

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Words - 300+

He had never seen her like this. It scared the man to see his friend so… detached. He spent a few moments talking with the pups while the woman he knew remained absent from her body that stood so close. The young pair was as polite as pups could be expected to be and Jaden found himself smiling at some of the questions little booth asked him. They seemed to have been raised well and that was no doubt X’yrins doing.

More than a few moments passed before the woman’s blank expression turned to acknowledge him and the pups again. Without warning, she barked a command at young Boothe and turned away. The Alaskan watched her walk away for a moment. She hadn’t spoken to him, hadn’t even looked at him. What had he done to deserve such a thing? What tormented her so much that she would disregard him? Or maybe she wanted him to follow. She wanted him to ask his question away from the ears of the little ones. It was more likely this then her ignoring him.

Sophie and Boothe protested her passage with little whines of distress. She had only just found them again. Jaden used his teeth and claws to tear off a monstrous chunk of flesh from the cat. The coppery taste of its blood reminded him of the battle he had gone through with the feline. But he didn’t pause to think on it. He dropped it for the pups. You two will be alright here…? He questioned the two but got no answer. They dove into the meat with hungry little mouths and he felt they would be occupied with it long enough for him to check on his friend.

By the time he had finished his friend had disappeared into the forest. He quickly jogged after her until she came back into view. X’yrin! he called for her attention, hoping she would stop for him. X’yrin! When they neared he slowed his pace with an easy distance between them in case she didn’t want to see or talk to him now. Will you talk to me?

Jaden does. Jaden speaks. Jaden thinks.

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X'yrin Exultare · 05-02-2012, 08:30 AM

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ooc:

Walking. She wanted only to keep walking. To head to the end and then not stop and take the deathly plunge into the unknown again. Perhaps if she pressed on hard and long enough she could find her mate again. She could catch his tail and make him understand, to apologize and beg that he come back to her and rebuild the family he left in shambles.

It was a fool’s hope…it was a lover’s hope, but it was what drove her deeper into the woodlands towards the rolling fields of the Valley, but she did not step onto them. Instead she paused on trembling legs, her breathing labored from the hastened steps, her shoulder throbbing from the stress and pain. She about collapsed then and there, but defiantly held her ground especially when she heard the disturbed ground behind her and caught the welcomed scent of her dearest friend.

Rough auburn tresses were tossed away from her eyes as she came to look at him, forging a partial smile across her muzzle in the pretend of happiness. As though he had lost nothing, as though the lands were what they once were, vast and plentiful protected by her and her husband-to-be. As though she were not alone as her heart made her feel. “Of course.” She replied in softer tones, acting in accordance with the Nomad tradition and offering her paw for him to speak. “What would you care to talk about, my friend?”

000 words.

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Jaden Ohanzee · 05-03-2012, 03:37 AM

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Words - 200+

He stood looking at her friend for a moment with worried eyes. Something was wrong and he knew it. There was no other reason for her abrupt departure or the horribly blank eyes she’s worn. But now she looked at him with a smile. She spoke like nothing was had happened. She spoke as if what he wanted to talk about wasn’t obvious enough without his cautious body language and slow approach. His ear flicked with a bit of irritation, a habit he had only recently picked up on. Was he fair in approaching her like this? His trust in her had him questioning himself. A longer then comfortable silence passed as he wondered how to respond to her deceptively pleasant inquiry.

He stepped closer to her, looking down at her and wishing he could change into a form that matched hers. I am scared for you, he finally uttered softly. Never have I seen you act like you just did, moments ago, and in front of those two little ones. And now you smile at me as if there was nothing odd about it. Should I believe you are okay? He felt he knew the woman well. If he was wrong about this, if she pressed that he had miss read her somehow, he would likely and absolutely believe her. It would take severely from his robust pride in their friendship but why would she lie? With how close he felt they were what reason would she have?

Jaden does. Jaden speaks. Jaden thinks.

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X'yrin Exultare · 05-03-2012, 09:35 AM

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ooc:

The seconds slipped by listlessly as she carried on in the oddly comfortable silence. With eyes glanced looking upon the gently bending blades, she could think of nothing to say that would explain her brash actions, or the possible consequences they would leave. She had not been angry... nor had she intended to sound as harsh as her actions conveyed. But she could not herself be seen with such weakness threatening to come forth. She could not permit herself, the supposed symbol of strength not only for the pups but for others that looked upon her, to crumble away. It was not like a Shepard to falter, regardless of the circumstances... personal or otherwise.

But to the face of one that knew her best, despite the time and distance that passed between them, she could not hide what was more evident to him than herself. But she fought against the confessions of weakness regardless, setting her idle form into a troubled pace, lifting innocent blades as her heavy paws raked the virgin earth. The smile upon her muzzle had long since waned, leaving a contorted image of pain and distressed melding into a single unpleasant mask that made her head heavy as it was forced to scrape the earth in her bothered march.

"Believe what your eyes see," she professed in the midst of mumbles and labored breaths. "If I do not look alright... then it must be so. If I am not skilled enough to mask my own troubles then how can I call myself a Shepard when those before me carried no stress on them?"

000 words.

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Jaden Ohanzee · 05-03-2012, 11:08 AM

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Words - 400+

Leadership was a changing thing. He had tried for it once and knew the stress. He knew what it was like to have to look strong regardless of what might be felt within. She was a different wolf then he had left in Ichika months ago. It was subtle, but a small difference was there and he understood why. But he didn’t understand why she continued to hold up her act. For the pups and the remaining pack members were one thing but for him? Didn’t she know he would respect her even if he were a witness to her weakness? Wasn’t it such things friends should be there to listen for? Apparently not. And he couldn’t criticize her for it. He had never seen her crumble for any reason or in front of anyone. To him she had always been strong, beautiful, smart, and dependable. Maybe this was just a personality perk he hadn’t had a reason to experience until now. That didn’t make it something he appreciated, but what more could he do? Her tongue wouldn’t move simply because he wanted it to.

Jaden moved to sit in front of his friend with carefully monitored movements for his sore body. He faced her and analyzed the changed expression that weighed down her muzzle. He couldn’t press her. They had been apart long enough that the small changes he noticed now had him unsure if asking her to open up to him was appropriate. He hadn’t been here to witness the reasons for her distress. But he wanted to be here for her now. She was all he had and realizing this was the last nudge he needed to believe he should be here. I do believe what I see. He spoke soft and warms tones, and I see a good leader. But we are friends, aren’t we? If ever you need a moment of weakness, I hope you know I wouldn’t lose respect for what troubles you… The words settled before he started again. A genuine smile displayed his happiness and hopes to lighten his friend’s mood a little. I would like to stay here for a time. All of this is so beautiful. He looked around and presented it with a motion of his paws. But I’m not a banished wolf returning home. I have done this land a terrible wrong and won’t accept such an easy invitation past my punishment, but a guest to the Shepard, if she would have me, might stay long enough to enjoy what Ichika still has to offer?

Jaden does. Jaden speaks. Jaden thinks.

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X'yrin Exultare · 05-10-2012, 12:24 PM

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ooc:

A troubled heart tended to close itself off from the good offered to soothe it. She had seen this before and at a time had experienced it for herself... and it was shameful that without even knowing, she was attempting to close herself from it again. The ancestors had sent her a blessing in the form of her cherished friend and she would have been a fool to deprive herself of that needed strength and kindness. The views of beauty when her eyes beheld only destruction of a hastily built world.

And this land was beautiful and did not deserve the gloom of the depressed and self-loathing. This she knew far better than any, but like a stubborn fool could not tear herself her eyes away from the illusions of decay. She needed to see what he did and reacquaint herself with such beauty.

She inched closer to him, but was careful of his injuries as she reclined against him seeking the stability of his concrete stature when her own foundations were crumbling away. "I wish to see what you do again..." quietly she confessed, as though her words would cause the world to condemn her. "I know the beauty of this land.. for my eyes have beheld it countless times, but while I know I will see it again... I see only darkness now and want to be rid of it." Burdened by the weight of sorrow, she slowly lifted her head to meet his eyes, showing through her own glassy hues what her lips were too fearful to say. "You have done no wrong to these lands in my eyes... you could never have done a wrong that would keep you from them. But... if you wish to stay as a guest of a Shepard, then I would gladly have you. Because...I cannot lead like this alone. And there is no other I trust more than you..."

319 words.

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